We can’t protect clean water without saving land: trees and plants act like natural water filters, straining out trash, chemicals, soil and road salt that would otherwise end up in rivers and reservoirs. Land conservation is an essential part of the Delaware River Watershed Initiative, from protecting headwaters forests in the Poconos to preserving working farms in Berks County. Conserving these streamside spaces creates cleaner water downstream, but it also benefits local communities by preventing sprawl, protecting their rural character, and providing access to nature.
The Land Trust Alliance’s Saving Land Magazine recently included the Delaware River Watershed Initiative in a feature about clean water programs. You can read the story, “Water Takes Center Stage” here.